John 16:12-24

That we must often receive new truth into minds already cluttered up with old truths, half-truths and scraps of downright error, and fit it into the total in such a way that it will appear right and "feel" right to the heart, makes it extremely difficult for us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The camel may squeeze through the eye of the needle and be well on his way before some of us can rid ourselves of our hindrances and get our minds clear for the free...

For Reading and Meditation:     2 Corinthians 1:1-11

We continue meditating on our Lord's second Beatitude: "Blessed [or happy] are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." The word "mourn" has reference to more than just sorrowing over the death of a loved one; it includes all those experiences in life where we may feel crushed, broken or sorrowful. I feel...

For Reading and Meditation:     1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

Now that we have spent a few days meditating on the fact that the Beatitudes provide us with the right mental and spiritual attitudes for healthy and abundant living, we are ready to begin focusing on the first of these profound statements: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of...

THESE are the words of Jesus. He address them to us this morning. They suppose want, and inability to supply ourselves. They intimate that provision is made, and may be obtained. They invite us to ask with confidence, assuring us we shall receive. Jesus has a boundless fulness of blessings, and a loving, tender heart to bestow them. He will supply all our needs. Let not want, then, lead you to despond, but look to Jesus; He has, He gives. He tells us to ask, and receive. Can any terms be...

IF Jesus is to be glorified, our pride must be mortified, and our spirits humbled. It is the Spirit's office and work to glorify Jesus; this He does, by discovering to us our wretched and ruined state, and leading us to Him to crave salvation as a favour at His hands. By daily emptying us and leading us to Him for all we need. By giving us to see, that all God has created cannot satisfy an immortal spirit for one moment of time, but that there is enough in Jesus to satisfy it throughout...

The presence of Jesus is the happiness of His people; when He is present manifesting His love, we are filled with joy and peace; but when He hides His face we are troubled. Nor is it any wonder, for then generally, Satan comes in with his temptations; our corruptions rise and trouble us; and for a time every thing seems to be against us.

But if Jesus hath once visited, He will come again; and He will manifest Himself unto us as He doth not unto the world. In every season of desertion...

"I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice." John 16:22

Surely He will come a second time, and then, when He sees us and we see Him, there will be rejoicings indeed. Oh, for that joyous return! But this promise is being daily fulfilled in another sense. Our gracious LORD has many "agains" in His dealings with us. He gave us pardon, and He sees us again and repeats the absolving word as fresh sins cause us grief. He has...

"He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you." John 16:14

The Holy Ghost Himself cannot better glorify the LORD Jesus than by showing to us Christ's own things. Jesus is His own best commendation. There is no adorning Him except with his own gold.

The Comforter shows us that which He has received of our LORD Jesus. We never see anything aright till He reveals it. He has a way of opening...

"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all Truth." John 16:13

Truth is like a vast cavern into which we desire to enter, but we are not able to traverse it alone. At the entrance it is clear and bright; but if we would go further and explore its innermost recesses, we must have a guide, or we shall lose ourselves. The Holy Spirit, who knows all truth perfectly, is the appointed guide of all true...

"Your sorrow shall be turned into joy." John 16:20

Their particular sorrow was the death and absence of their LORD, and it was turned into joy when He rose from the dead and showed Himself in their midst. All the sorrows of saints shall be thus transmuted, even the worst of them, which look as if they must forever remain fountains of bitterness.

Then the more sorrow, the more joy. If we have loads of sorrow, then the...